Statement on World Day to Combat Desertification

June 17, 2017

(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), released the following statement on World Day to Combat Desertification:

“On March 21, 2017, Canada officially once again became a party to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, following the short-sighted decision under Stephen Harper to leave the convention. I applaud the Trudeau administration for taking action to submit Canada’s instrument for re-ratification last December. Harper’s removal from the convention had contributed to tarnishing our international reputation.

“Desertification encompasses the growing challenges of peace and security, wealth and sustainable development – and no country is immune. More than 2.8 billion people are affected by land degradation, a number that will only grow as we experience increased droughts and food supply shortages due to our rapidly altering climate and conflict.

“Canada has a responsibility to provide assistance to drought-stricken areas and to the people affected. We must also turn our focus to building food security in all regions of the country, so that we can better manage increasing seasonal shortages of produce and other food supplies,” Ms. May said.

“I look forward to Canada playing a critical role at the upcoming UNCCD COP in Mongolia in September 2017."